PLSC/ASM468: Golf Course Irrigation I
Class Schedule
Course description:
PLSC/ASM468: Golf course irrigation I is designed for junior or higher level college students in sports and urban turf management major to learn basic issues of water management, irrigation systems design and maintenance in golf course and other sports facilities. The course emphasizes balanced basic knowledge and practical skills. This is reflected in the two class meetings a week, once for lecture and once for hands-on experience or design studios. The ultimate goal is for the students to understand the designing purposes of an irrigation system and to manage the quality and quantity of water required for healthy turf grasses.
Course objectives:
  • Know the basics of water resources, water quality, and water management.
  • Understand the soil-water-plant relationships and calculations of irrigation requirement.
  • Be familiar with basic elements of irrigation system for golf course and sports fields.
  • Achieve fundamental knowledge of irrigation design.
  • Master skills for maintaining irrigation systems.
Course topics:
a) Over view of the course.
b) Calculation of irrigation requirement.

Turfgrasses
Soil types
Climate
Soil-water-plant relationships.
Evapotranspiration
c) Water supply: quality and quantity.
Water quantity and quality.
Water source, withdraw permit, and water rights.
Ground, surface, municipal, alternative, and combined water sources.
d) Cross connection and backflow prevention.
e) Pump systems

Pump types
Pump sizing
Motors
Controls
Power
Pump system safety circuits
Pressure relief valve
Variable frequency drives
Remote monitoring
Intakes and discharges
Pump house
Injection and filtration

f)

 Irrigation materials
Pipe
Fittings
Swing joints
Isolation valves
Specialty valves
Quick coupling valves
Valve boxes, reach wells
Sprinklers
Control systems
Remote control
Line conditioners/voltage stabilizers
Uninterruptible power supplies
Weather stations
Wire
Lightning protection
g) Design
Over view of golf course and sports field irrigation requirement.
Golf and sports field drainage requirement.
Principles of hydraulics
Preliminary procedures
Standards and codes
Coverage
Spacing
Uniformity
Pipe routing
Isolation
Basic electricity
Power wiring
Communication wiring
Zone wiring

Sensors
Scheduling
Programming

Project Documents
Examinations:
Lab reports (9) 450 (50x9)
Project report 150
Final 400
Total points 1000
Grade Determination:

A = 90%+
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = < 60%
Textbook:

Edward Pira. 1997. A Guide to Golf Course Irrigation System Design and Drainage. John Willey & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 1-57504-030-1.

Other references:

Bareff, Vinchesi, Dobson, Roche, and Zoldoske. 2003. Golf Course Irrigation: Environmental Design and Management Practices. John Willey & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 0-741-14830-X

Watkins. Turf Irrigation Manual. The complete guide to turf and landscape sprinkler systems. ISBN: 74-31280.

McIntyre and Jakobsen. 2000. Practical Drainage for Golf, Sportsturf, and Horticulture. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea , Michigan . ISBN: 1-57504-139-1.

Carrow and Duncan. 1998. Salt-Affected Turfgrass Sites. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea , Michigan . ISBN: 1-57504-091-3.

Jarrett A.R. 1985. GOLF COURSE & GROUNDS; Irrigation and Drainage. Reston , VA : Reston Publishing-Prentice-Hall. ISBN: 0835925633.

Choate, Richard B . 1994 . Turf Irrigation Manual: The Complete Guide to Turf and Landscape Irrigation Systems Weather-matic Division of Telsco Industries. ISBN: 0963509608.

Beard. 2002. Turf Management for Golf Courses. Ann Arbor Press. Chelsea , Michigan . ISBN: 1-57504-092-1.

Academic Honesty: All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU University Senate Policy, Section 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm). All students in this course are governed by the college of Agriculture's Honor System. It is the responsibility of the students to report any violations of the honor pledge to the instructor, honor commission, or the Dean of the College of Agriculture (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/colag/honor.htm).

Students who have any disability that might affect their performance in this class are encouraged to speak with the instructor at the beginning of the semester.